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Mccord, T. B.

Publications and source records attributed to Mccord, T. B..

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1993

MinMap: An imaging spectrometer for high resolution compositional mapping of the Moon

MinMap has been selected by the Lunar Scout program to characterize and map the mineral composition of the Moon. The instrument will be built as a collaborative effort between Brown University, SETS Technology Inc., and Ball Aerospace Corp. MinMap is a visible to near-infrared imaging spectrometer that contains 192 spectral channels from 0.35-2.4 microns with signal to noise greater than 200 and 256 cross-track spatial elements. The spectrometer design has a 6 deg field of view (FOV) and utilizes grating dispersive elements and two dimensional detectors (no moving parts). An 'image cube' of data is produced that contains two dimensions of spatial information and one dimension of spectral information. All spectral channels and cross-track spatial elements are recorded simultaneously with spacecraft motion scanning the second spatial dimension. The high spectral resolution and continuous spectral range of MinMap are designed to measure the diagnostic absorption features of principal lunar minerals and their lithologic mixtures. Since the optical properties of lunar materials change in a regular manner upon exposure to the space environment, this spectral range is also quite sensitive to variations in exposure history (soil maturity). Nominal measurement stragegy is to obtain full global data of the Moon at 180 m/pixel from a 450 km polar orbit during the first month or two of operation. A 100 km orbit is anticipated for the remaining part of a 1 year mission allowing higher resolution data (approx. 80 m/pixel) to be obtained for targeted regions. MinMap exceeds LE x SWG's measurement recommendations and will provide the highest spatial resolution compositional map of lunar rocks and soils currently planned for orbital missions. Since all spectral channels are co-registered and obtained simultaneously, 'image cube' data swaths will be available for analysis almost immediately.

Pieters, C. M.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A search for spectral units on the Uranian satellites using color ratio images

Twenty multispectral sets of calibrated coregistered Voyager 2 images of the Uranian satellites are analyzed in order to identify spectrally distinct surface units and associate these units with specific endogenic or exogenic surface processes. Several regions on each satellite where significant spectral/compositional diversity could be expected were identified by morphologic unit mapping. All the Uranian satellites were found to exhibit some degree of spectral variability associated with bright impact craters, with the typical trend being that the bright craters and their associated ejecta deposits are less red than the remainder of the satellites by 5 to 30 percent. Oberon shows the greatest variability, followed by Titania and Ariel. Morphologic features on Miranda and Ariel possibly associated with endogenic processes such as tectonism or ice volcanism do not exhibit as high a degree of spectral variability relative to their surroundings as bright impact craters.

Bell, J. F., III↗
NASA NTRS1990

Imaging spectroscopy of Mars (0.4-1.1 micron) during the 1988 opposition

The paper presents imaging spectroscopic data and preliminary interpretations acquired during the 1988 perihelic opposition of Mars at the highest spatial resolution achieved from earth for spectrometric measurements (all contiguous spatial sampling for nearly 70 percent of the planet) and at a higher spectral resolution (R = 350) than most previous measurements in the (0.4-1.1)-micron wavelength range. Absorption features appearing near 0.6-0.7 and 0.80-0.95 micron are attributed to Fe(3+) crystal field transitions, confirming previously made measurements at lower spectral resolution. It is shown that attempts to reconcile the overall spectral shape with those of laboratory minerals or Mars analog soils spectra affirm the recent interpretations that hematite may account for nearly all of the 18 wt pct Fe2O3 measured by Viking Landers.

Bell, J. F., III↗
NASA NTRS1988

IR-dust observations of Comet Tempel 2 with CRAF VIMS

Measurement strategies are now being planned for using the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) to observe the asteroid Hestia, and the nucleus, and the gas and dust in the coma of comet P/Tempel 2 as part of the Comet Rendezvous Asteroid Flyby (CRAF) mission. The spectral range of VIMS will cover wavelengths from 0.35 to 5.2 micrometers, with a spectral resolution of 11 nm from 0.35 to 2.4 micrometers and of 22 nm from 2.4 to 5.2 micrometers. The instantaneous field of view (IFOV) provided by the foreoptics is 0.5 milliradians, and the current design of the instrument provides for a scanning secondary mirror which will scan a swath of length 72 IFOVs. The CRAF high resolution scan platform motion will permit slewing VIMS in a direction perpendicular to the swath. This enables the building of a two dimensional image in any or all wavelength channels. Important measurements of the dust coma will include the onset of early coma activity, the mapping of gas and dust jets and correlations with active nucleus areas, observations of the dust coma from various scattering phase angles, coverage of the low wavelength portion of the thermal radiation, and the 3.4 micrometer hydrocarbon emission. A description of the VIMS instrument is presented.

Combi, Michael R.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Martian surface analogs: Laboratory spectral studies in the mid infrared

Ground-based telescopic reflectance spectra and analyses of Viking data have led to the conclusion that Martian surface fines are derived from a mafic to ultramafic source material, though the actual composition of these surface fines is still undetermined. A variety of possible compositions were proposed by several authors, however, with salts, particularly sulfates and carbonates, as important components in many of these models. Although salts are predicted components of the Martian surface, they are not identified in telescopic reflectance spectroscopic observations to date. One explanation for the absence of salts in these data is that they are not in quantities large enough to detect. This study was undertaken to determine the detectability of salts in various proposed Martian surface analog mixtures. This study concentrates on the carbonates and sulfate spectral features in the 2.5 to 25 micrometer spectral range because of recent work showing the usefulness of weak bands in the mid infrared for the remote sensing of particulate planetary surfaces. All measurements were made using a Nicolet 5SXC FTIR spectrometer with a bidirectional reflectance attachment, which uses an aluminum mirror as the background against which the sample is compared.

Walsh, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Research in planetary astronomy

The composition, structure and processes operating on the surfaces of solar system objects were determined using the Mauna Kea observing facilities and modern instrumentation. Reflectance spectroscopy and multispectral imaging in the 0.3 to 5.0 micrometers spectral region are the major techniques used. Major focus was in qualifying and using the new imaging spectrometer and the 2-D IR detectors for spectroscopy and imaging. The major observational program emphasis was on preparing for the next Mars opposition, and searching for compositional units in the lunar highlands.

Mccord, T. B.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A compositional study of the aristarchus region of the moon using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy

Newly obtained near-infrared reflectance spectra for features on or near the Aristarchus Plateau demonstrate the diversity of compositions in the region. Highland units are of three probable compositions: a feldspar and clinopyroxene assemblage; a probable clinopyroxene, olivine, and possibly feldspar assemblage; and an assemblage composed of olivine or olivine and feldspar. The feldspar-clinopyroxene assemblage is tentatively correlated with the major Th anomaly centered on Aristarchus crater. The regional pyroclastic deposits on the plateau are composed of greater than 90 percent Fe(2+)-bearing glass. The Aristarchus cratering event fully penetrated any mare or pyroclastics in the target. Evidence for mare-related material is found in the ejecta on the mare side of the mare-plateau contact.

Lucey, P. G.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Europa - Characterization and interpretation of global spectral surface units

In the present analysis of the Voyager global multispectral mosaic of the Galilean satellite Europa, which was conducted to map surface units with similar optical properties, color assignments are indicative of the spectral nature of the given unit. The unit maps are noted to exhibit a marked hemispheric asymmetry which is most clearly seen in the UV/violet albedo ratio image. It appears as if the surface has been most darkened at the center of the trailing hemisphere, with a gradual decrease to a minimum at the center of the leading hemisphere as the cosine of the angle from the antapex of motion; this cosine pattern suggests that the darkening is exogenic in origin, and is interpreted as evidence of surface alteration by in bombardment from the Jovian magnetosphere.

Nelson, M. L.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Near-earth asteroids - Possible sources from reflectance spectroscopy

The diversity of reflectance spectra noted among near-earth asteroids that were compared with selected asteroids, planets and satellites to determine possible source regions is indicative of different mineralogical composition and, accordingly, of more than one source region. Spectral signatures that are similar to those of main belt asteroids support models deriving some of these asteroids from the 5:2 Kirkwood gap and the Flora family, by way of gravitational perturbations. The differences in composition found between near-earth asteroids and planetary and satellite surfaces are in keeping with theoretical arguments that such bodies should not be sources. While some near-earth asteroids furnish portions of the earth's meteorite flux, other sources must also contribute.

Mcfadden, L. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Spectral Units on Europa and Ganymede

Comparisons of Europa and Ganymede multispectral data show that Ganymede is less spectrally variable than Europa. Four major spectral units dominate Ganymede, corresponding to the ancient cratered terrain and the grooved terrain in the leading and trailing hemispheres. A hemispheric asymmetry in UV absorption definitely exists on Ganymede, although it is not so strong as that on Europa. Comparison of normalized spectra for the four major units shows that the sense of the asymmetry (more absoption toward shorter wavelengths on the trailing hemisphere) is also the same on the two bodies. This hemispheric asymmetry is interpreted as evidence of alteration of the surface by magnetospheric bombardment or micrometorite bombardment. It is concluded that the pattern observed represents a steady state involving both of these exogenic modifying agents. The spectral changes which could be produced by these two processes are grain size alteration and changes in composition. The spectral effects of variation in water ice grain size are fairly well known. Laboratory experiments are being conducted to study the spectral effects of sulfur irradiation on water ice.

Mccord, T. B.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Asteroid amphitrite: Surface composition and prospects for the possible Galileo flyby

Studies of the trajectory of the Galileo mission to Jupiter recently revealed that the spacecraft can pass close to one of the largest asteroids (#29 Amphitrite). NASA has therefore altered the mission plan of the Galileo spacecraft to include a possible close flyby of Amphitrite in early December 1986, if the condition of the spacecraft allows. If this option is actually implemented, Amphitrite will become the only asteroid for which any high-spatial resolution images and reflection spectra will be available. To evaluate the value of this data and place Amphitrite in the context of the more than 600 asteroids for which some compositional information exists. Existing data was reexamined, new telescopic spectra of Amphitrite were obtained, and simulated Galileo data sets were constructed.

Bell, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Mineralogical-petrological characterization of near-earth asteroids

The mineralogy and petrology of 17 near-earth asteroids are characterized using reflectance spectroscopy with ground-based telescopes. Assuming the surfaces are composed of cosmically abundant materials, the presence of certain mineralogical species can be determined from diagnostic absorption features and spectral characteristics which have been studied under known laboratory conditions and understood in terms of crystal-field theory. With one possible exception, the surface composition of near-earth asteroids consists of common rock-forming minerals such as olivine, pyroxene, and phyllosilicates. Opaque components are present but cannot be mineralogically identified with existing experimental data. The spectrum of 2201 Oljato cannot be interpreted in terms of common rock-forming minerals and is examined for cometary features because its high orbital eccentricity suggests a possible relation to comets, but no common cometary features are identified. The predominance of mafic silicate absorption features in spectra of near-earth asteroids (compared to the majority of main-belt asteroids) may be a primary compositional feature or may be the signature of relatively fresher asteroid material.

Mcfadden, L. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Surface compositions in the Aristarchus Region: Implications for regional stratigraphy

Near infrared reflectance spectra for the Aristachus region, obtained using the 2.2m UH telescope at the Mauna Kea Observatory, were reduced and analyzed. The spectra obtained for the central peak, southern floor, southwestern wall, eastern wall, and northwestern wall of Aristachus crater exhibit shallow continuum slopes, relatively strong feldspar bands, pyroxene bands stronger than those typically seen in the spectra of fresh higland features, and pyroxene band centers near l micrometer suggesting the dominance of Ca rich clinopyroxene. The spectrum of the south rim of Aristachus is quite distinct from those of other crater units. The position of Aristrchus on the plateau/mare boundary raises questions concerning compositional variations in crater ejects deposits.

Hawke, H. R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Mars: Definition and characterization of global surface units with emphasis on composition

Viking 2 approach maps of red and violet normal albedo are used to define units of similar optical properties for a large area of the Martian surface. Computer processing of these data reveals clusters of albedo values relating to specific, contiguous regions of the planet, with some unit boundaries being of a gradational nature while others are more discrete. A study of the albedo properties of analog materials measured in the laboratory, and of telescopic spectrophotometry of Mars, indicates that both hydroxylated and hematitic oxidized materials exist on the surface. The most probable surface expression of global dust and/or high albedo soils is in the classical bright region, Arabia. Most low albedo features in the region studied have red and violet albedos that are consistent with a dark substrate, such as basalt, coated by, or mixed with, a fine grained alteration product.

Mccord, T. B.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Mars - Near-infrared spectral reflectance of surface regions and compositional implications

Both morphological and compositional information are needed to define and characterize surface geologic units on Mars. A description is presented of new, near-infrared spectra (0.65 to 2.50 micrometers) for 11 regions on the Martian surface observed in 1978. The high photometric quality of these data combined with increased near-infrared spectral coverage provide new information about the spectral behavior and, therefore, the composition and physical nature of Martian surface materials. The spectral reflectances were obtained with the aid of a 2.2-m telescope located on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. A cooled (to 77 K) circular variable filter spectrometer with an InSb detector was used to measure alternatively Mars and the standard star Beta Geminorum. Attention is given to general spectral characteristics, the dark region composition, spectral evidence for water, and the 2.3 micrometer absorption.

Mccord, T. B.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Mars residual north polar cap - Earth-based spectroscopic confirmation of water ice as a major constituent and evidence for hydrated minerals

A description is presented of new earth-based reflectance spectra of the Martian north residual polar cap. The spectra indicate that the composition is at least mostly water ice plus another component with a 'gray' reflectance. The other minerals in the ice cap appear to be hydrated. The data were obtained with a cooled circular variable filter spectrometer on February 20, 1978, using the 2.2-m telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. It is pointed out that the identification of water ice in the north polar cap alone does not indicate that water makes up all or even most of the bulk of the cap. Kieffer (1970) has shown that a small amount of water will mask the spectral features of CO2.

Clark, R. N.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Moon - Near-infrared spectral reflectance, a first good look

Spectral reflectance contains direct information on the mineralogy of the surface soils and rocks. A problem concerning the employment of remote spectral-reflectance sensing techniques for mineralogical studies is related to the lack of photometrically precise spectra of planetary surfaces in the region from 1.0 to 2.5 micrometers, where additional important mineral absorptions occur. Recently, a new instrument was developed, and an observational program is underway to provide the required near-infrared spectra. The first, comprehensive near-infrared spectroscopic results for the moon are presented. It is shown that it is equally possible to derive quantitative mineralogical information about the lunar surface by using remotely sensed reflectance spectra as it is by using laboratory reflectance measurements of lunar samples.

Mccord, T. B.↗